Coop, reCIRCLE Pilot Test Reusable Take-Away Containers

In a bid to cut plastic waste, Coop Switzerland has launched a pilot project in association with reCIRCLE, which will see it offer reusable takeaway containers to customers in Basel.

Presently, the reBox is available for CHF 10 in Coop and Take-It restaurants at Coop City Basel Pfauen and Basel Marktplatz.

Customers also have the option to return the box to reCIRCLE partners after use.

Expansion Plans

Manager of Coop restaurants, Kaspar Wittwer, said, "If the pilot project is a success with our customers, this summer we will expand the system of multi-purpose containers at our restaurants and Take-It throughout Switzerland."

ReCIRCLE is the first Swiss system offering multipurpose containers for takeaways, the company said.

It aims to encourage people to switch from disposable containers to a reusable option.

'From Disposable To Reusable'

"Being able to convince Coop to participate in this pilot project gives greater visibility to our vision: to go from disposable to reusable, and the growing network of partners will make life easier for reCIRCLE users," said Jeannette Morath, director of reCIRCLE AG.

Once-a-week use of a reusable container saves 1.5 kilograms of plastic, and cuts 52.5 litres of waste per year.

For many years, Coop has implemented several measures to limit the use of plastics and packaging in its supermarkets.

Since 2012, it has reduced packaging by almost 20,000 tonnes. For takeaway salads, it has managed to reduce plastic by 34% and for organic products, it saved nearly 114 tonnes of packaging last year.